Overseas Voting System

This is a system that allows you to vote in Japan's national elections even if you live abroad. However, to vote, you must apply for registration on the overseas voter list in advance. There are two methods for registration: applying before leaving the country (application at the time of departure) and applying at the overseas diplomatic mission in the destination country (application at the overseas diplomatic mission).

• About the Overseas Voting System (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Website)(External Link)

Departure Application

Registration Qualifications

Japanese citizens aged 18 and over who have submitted a notification of moving abroad and are registered in the electoral roll of their last address.

Application Method

Please apply directly at the Election Administration Commission office.

Application Period

From the date of submitting the notification of moving abroad until the scheduled departure date stated in the notification of moving abroad
Note: If you were unable to submit your notification in time or wish to register after leaving the country, you can apply at the embassy or consulate in your destination country (such as an ambassador or consul). Please see the application for overseas diplomatic missions below.

Required Documents

When the applicant submits the Application Form themselves

1. Application Form (There is a field to enter the passport number as stated in the passport.)
2. Identity Verification Documents

When a person authorized by the applicant submits the Application Form

1. Application Form (A signature by the applicant is required. There is a field for the applicant's passport number.)
2. Identification documents of the applicant
3. Request Form from the Applicant
4. Identification documents of the person delegated

Examples of Identity Verification Documents
Documents for identity verification with one point: passport, My Number Card, driver's license, government-issued ID, etc.
Documents for identity verification: 1 point from each of the following A and B (or 2 points from A)

• A. Family Register, Certificate of Residence, Health Insurance Card, Pension Book, Tax Payment Certificate, Disability Certificate
• E. Identification cards from private companies, etc. with a photo (company employee ID, university student ID, credit card with photo, etc.)

Registration for the List

After confirming your address abroad through the residence registration, you will be registered on the overseas voter list, and we will send you the overseas voter certificate via the diplomatic mission.
Note: We will confirm your address abroad based on your residency notification, so please submit your residency notification promptly after departure. If your address abroad cannot be confirmed within 4 months after departure, registration will not be possible. Please note that a residency notification is a report submitted to the diplomatic mission when you establish a residence or stay abroad for more than 3 months, and it can also be submitted online.

Application for Overseas Diplomatic Missions

Registration Qualifications

Must be a Japanese citizen aged 18 or older and have resided continuously for more than 3 months within the jurisdiction of the overseas diplomatic mission (embassy, consulate, etc.) that governs the address.
Note: Even if you live abroad, those who have not submitted a notification of moving out of the country cannot apply for registration on the overseas voter list.

Application Method

The applicant or family members living together should bring the necessary documents and apply at the overseas diplomatic mission (embassy, consulate). The Application Form is available at the overseas diplomatic mission.

Required Documents

1. Applicant's Passport
2. Documents proving that you have continued to reside in the jurisdiction of the consulate where you submit the Application Form for more than 3 months (such as a rental agreement or residence certificate). Note: This is only required if you have already lived there for more than 3 months at the time of application.
3. If a cohabiting family member is applying for registration, the applicant must provide a letter of authorization indicating the delegation and the passport of the delegated cohabiting family member.

Registration for the List

Applications for registration on the overseas voter list will be made to the city's Election Administration Commission through the relevant overseas diplomatic mission. After verifying the registration details, the overseas voter certificate will be issued to the applicant through the overseas diplomatic mission by the city's Election Administration Commission.

Voting Method

Those registered on the overseas voter list can vote by one of the following methods. An overseas voter certificate is required for any voting method.

(1) Voting at Overseas Diplomatic Missions

You can vote by presenting your overseas voter registration certificate and passport at embassies and consulates that have established voting locations.

(2) Mail Voting

You can vote by requesting a ballot from the Election Administration Commission at your registered location, along with your overseas voter certificate, up to four days before the election date. After that, fill out the ballot sent to your home, and return it to the Election Administration Commission at your registered location.
Note: Since mail correspondence takes time, please consider the necessary number of days and request your ballot with ample time. Additionally, the postage for requesting ballots and sending completed ballots will be the responsibility of overseas voters. Thank you for your understanding.
Note: The destination for sending ballots, etc., will be the "address other than the registered address" listed on the overseas voter certificate (if blank, it will be the "address"). Therefore, if there are any changes to the destination address, please do not forget to notify the Election Administration Commission at your registered location through the relevant overseas diplomatic mission.

(3) Voting in Japan

If you return to Japan temporarily or after moving your address within Japan until you are registered on the domestic voter list, you can vote by presenting your overseas voter certificate and using the following methods.

Voting at the polling place on election day

You can vote at the polling place designated by the Election Administration Commission for the overseas voter registration.

Early Voting

You can vote at the early voting location designated by the Election Administration Commission for the overseas voter registration.

Absentee Voting

You can vote at the Election Administration Commission of a city, ward, or town other than your overseas voter registration location. However, you must first request and receive a ballot, etc., from the Election Administration Commission at your overseas voter registration location, along with your overseas voter certificate.
The period for absentee voting is from the day after the announcement date to the day before the voting date. For information on the times and locations for voting, please contact the Election Administration Commission in your area.

Elections You Can Vote In

The elections you can vote in are the House of Representatives election, the national review of Supreme Court justices, and the House of Councillors election.
Voting for the Inagi City Council Member Election, Mayor of Inagi City Election, Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Member Election, and Tokyo Governor Election is not allowed.

Establishment of the Foreign Resident Review System

It has become possible to conduct the national review of Supreme Court justices even for overseas voting.
For details on how to vote, please see the flyer.

• Flyer for the Foreign Resident Review System (PDF 4.1MB)

The district division has been changed in the 30th ward of Tokyo.

Due to the amendment of the Public Offices Election Act, Inagi City was divided into the Tokyo 21st and 22nd districts for the House of Representatives elections. However, starting from the general election announced on December 28, 2022, the entire city will be changed to the Tokyo 30th district.
The 30th district of Tokyo consists of Fuchu City, Tama City, and Inagi City.